Governor Steve Beshear is calling it a "radical shift in how we build roads." He is ordering highway projects scaled back, as long as the changes don't compromise safety or economic development needs. 

The idea is to pare down projects, saving money so more projects can be started. The bottom line: money is the problem. The state's road fund is woefully short of cash. It is $3 billion short of covering the $5.3 billion worth of projects that are in the state's six year road plan. On top of that, people are driving less now because of the cost of gas. 

That will reduce the state's gas tax revenue by an estimated $100 million this year. That means the governor is ordering a review of all projects currently in the road plan. He wants to do more with less. 

"It requires us to be strict in applying a fundamental question to every project.  What is the simplest and most cost effective way to build this road while still accomplishing the desired purpose," Beshear said.

Beshear claims his plan will not compromise safety. He says, where appropriate, a four lane project would become a three lane road with a passing lane. Medians will be smaller, road widths more narrow. Intersections may replace interchanges. There is a problem with implementing the plan: all but one of the new state funded projects have been pushed back to 2010 because of the money shortage.

Comments (0)